No one knows the exact point at which it happens. Almost invariably, however, somewhere between Fir Park and the front door of Ibrox, a sense of self-assurance and indefatigability tends to leap out of the hamper and vanish into thin air.

For a generation of Motherwell supporters, trips to face Rangers tend to promise much but deliver little but angst and heartache. A victory there in the first leg of the play-offs in 2015 was very much a collector’s item.

While the task of winning in Glasgow is always arduous, a failure to beat Rangers on their own patch in the regular league season for 20 years almost defies belief. As for a Scottish Cup drought stretching back to 1961, perhaps the less said, the better.

Mark McGhee believes his side can end their poor away record against Rangers with belief

Mark McGhee, the man tasked with ending that grim sequence, has no doubts his side are physically capable of eliminating last year’s runners-up at this early juncture.

He contends, however, that their chances are more likely to hinge on their mental wherewithal – that ingredient so often lacking with Motherwell teams on this stage down the years.

‘I’ve not said it to the players yet but I will be saying to them that one of the things that can affect our outcome is belief,’ said the Fir Park manager.

‘I know it’s a bit overused but simply because you play for Rangers and Celtic gives you a certain belief and confidence that when you put on that shirt that other people have to rise to you.

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Motherwell have not won at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership for an incredible 20 years

‘The biggest danger for us is that we don’t believe that we are good enough to go there and just win the game. That it’s Rangers we are playing, it’s away from home, it’s the cup, it’s another difficult draw.

‘We have to somehow overcome that and believe. Forget the jersey, there’s 11 players out there and we need to believe together and individuals that we can be better than them.

‘If we can do that in our heads we will have a hell of a chance, if we go there and we are intimidated by the crowd, the stadium, who they are, then we have no chance before we even get there.’

Much of McGhee’s cautions optimism stems from the impressive figure of Louis Moult.

The 24-year-old striker is already into double figures in the scoring chart this season and is naturally drawing many an admiring glance from elsewhere.

Were the former Wrexham man’s skill set to stretch no further than being an adept finisher of chances, the chances are he would find a place in McGhee’s side in any event this afternoon.

But the Motherwell manager sees in him something approaching a complete centre-forward in the making – a view that’s shared by many in the know.

McGhee praised his striker Louis Moult for his intelligence and ambition on the pitch

‘In Scotland, he gets the appreciation he deserves,’ McGhee added. ‘When we go into managers’ offices after games the first thing they usually mention is Moulty and what a good player he is. They all say it.

‘After the Aberdeen game, Derek (McInnes) mentioned him. So they all think he’s a good player.

‘So he does get that recognition. He’s an intelligent boy, very focused, determined and ambitious.

‘He wants to play at a higher level and he knows what he’s got to do is play well here to get there. But he’s a learner as well. Anything we can give him he’ s taken on board.’

If it sounds like McGhee is deliberately talking up his star player for a January move then that’s just part of the shtick of being the Motherwell manager.

For the record, the Lanarkshire club are in a far healthier state as a result of Marvin Johnston’s £500,000 move to Oxford but no one at the club inhabits a parallel universe as a result.

‘I’d be surprised if no one comes in during this window with some sort of serious approach,’ McGhee conceded.

‘I think he’s proven now that he’s consistent and is more than just a poacher.

‘He has an opportunity if someone takes a chance on him to go and prove he can play.

Moult is a source of optimism ahead of the clash due to his fine form this season

‘I watched Brighton last week against MK Dons in the cup. Brighton are a good side but Moulty could play in that team, no danger. Whether he can play at a level above it or not, I have no idea. He still has to prove that.

‘But he can play in the Championship. Anyone who took a chance on him would not be disappointed.’

Win at Ibrox today and McGhee might just be fielding enquiries beyond Moult next week. On such stages, reputations are built and careers can be sent into orbit.

‘These are opportunities for players,’ he added. ‘Last season Moulty scored a couple at Parkhead and that’s all you can do.

‘This is an opportunity for Moulty. Anybody who knows the game and goes to Ibrox will be looking at a lot more than whether he actually scores.

‘There’s a lot more he can do for us to help us win a game other than score but if he rounds it off with a couple goals it will just encourage people to make the calls we talked about.’